James Lizamore
AH member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2015
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 13
- Member of
- SAHGCA, CHASA, PHASA,
- Hunted
- South Africa, Namibia, Botswana
Hi Guys
I have been reading a lot about legalizing the Rhino horn trade, and things in South Africa are coming to a boiling point, as there is no consensus between various parties combating the poaching and illegal horn trade.
This was the most comprehensive article i could find: http://conservationaction.co.za/rec...en-to-court-over-rhino-horn-trade-moratorium/
The newest solution that the environmental activist could come up with is that there should a additional tax levied on tourist visiting South Africa. According to them these funds will be placed in a empowerment fund to combat poaching. Now this leads to the following problems:
1. South Africa has had a huge decline in international tourist visiting the country since the new visa regulations came into effect.
2. The new tourist tax (only speculation at this point in time) will be levied by the government. South Africa is struggling with a MAJOR corruption problem within the government, now ask the question how much of the tourist levy will end up combating poaching.
3. In the Kruger National Park currently the South African National Defensive Force, the South African Police Force, SanParks, and various elite anti poaching units are fighting a losing battle against poaching. The syndicates from the east fund these poaching operations in dollars and their currency which is much stronger than the South African rand, now how much must this levy be to match this syndicate funding???
Even the park officials and rangers have been involved in poaching and the situation is so dire that the rangers and guides in the Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger is not allowed to report any rhino sightings over the radio in fear that suspected poachers are listening to the location of the spotted rhino.
In my option the only way to spot the current slaughter of rhinos is to legalize the trade. There reasons for my decision is as follows:
Currently the only way that the syndicates and consumers in the east can get hold of rhino horn is poaching and stealing it from the stockpiles help by SanParks, the Government and private individuals. Legalizing the trade will flood the market with tons and tons of piled up rhino horn that is currently in possession of the various stakeholders. In my opinion this will lead to the following:
1. The demand for rhino horn is currently far outweighing the supply and the only way to satisfy the demand is by means of more and intensive poaching. Flooding the market with legal rhino horn will bring the demand down in a drastic way, if not completely satisfying it for a certain period of time. From there on the demand can be satisfied by means of the rhino owners and breeders harvesting the horn and selling the horn. But most importantly saving the rhino from painful and gruesome death.
2. This will lead to that the poachers on the ground will not be offered money to poach rhinos as the horn can be obtained legally. Thus fewer rhinos poached.
3. The price for rhino horn will drop as the demand sets the price and if there is a lesser demand and a constant supply of rhino horn, making the poaching part less lucrative. But the increase supply might possibly lead to a increase demand due to the fact that the middle class and the poor might be able to afford the horn as a result of the price drop.
4. The horn trade will in my opinion if legalized will very much be governed by the normal supply and demand nature added the syndicate or poacher that still turn to the illegal poaching side.
This is only my opinion (and might be wrong) and would like the input of others as this is a matter that dearly matters to us as hunters and conservationist.
My Best
James Lizamore
I have been reading a lot about legalizing the Rhino horn trade, and things in South Africa are coming to a boiling point, as there is no consensus between various parties combating the poaching and illegal horn trade.
This was the most comprehensive article i could find: http://conservationaction.co.za/rec...en-to-court-over-rhino-horn-trade-moratorium/
The newest solution that the environmental activist could come up with is that there should a additional tax levied on tourist visiting South Africa. According to them these funds will be placed in a empowerment fund to combat poaching. Now this leads to the following problems:
1. South Africa has had a huge decline in international tourist visiting the country since the new visa regulations came into effect.
2. The new tourist tax (only speculation at this point in time) will be levied by the government. South Africa is struggling with a MAJOR corruption problem within the government, now ask the question how much of the tourist levy will end up combating poaching.
3. In the Kruger National Park currently the South African National Defensive Force, the South African Police Force, SanParks, and various elite anti poaching units are fighting a losing battle against poaching. The syndicates from the east fund these poaching operations in dollars and their currency which is much stronger than the South African rand, now how much must this levy be to match this syndicate funding???
Even the park officials and rangers have been involved in poaching and the situation is so dire that the rangers and guides in the Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger is not allowed to report any rhino sightings over the radio in fear that suspected poachers are listening to the location of the spotted rhino.
In my option the only way to spot the current slaughter of rhinos is to legalize the trade. There reasons for my decision is as follows:
Currently the only way that the syndicates and consumers in the east can get hold of rhino horn is poaching and stealing it from the stockpiles help by SanParks, the Government and private individuals. Legalizing the trade will flood the market with tons and tons of piled up rhino horn that is currently in possession of the various stakeholders. In my opinion this will lead to the following:
1. The demand for rhino horn is currently far outweighing the supply and the only way to satisfy the demand is by means of more and intensive poaching. Flooding the market with legal rhino horn will bring the demand down in a drastic way, if not completely satisfying it for a certain period of time. From there on the demand can be satisfied by means of the rhino owners and breeders harvesting the horn and selling the horn. But most importantly saving the rhino from painful and gruesome death.
2. This will lead to that the poachers on the ground will not be offered money to poach rhinos as the horn can be obtained legally. Thus fewer rhinos poached.
3. The price for rhino horn will drop as the demand sets the price and if there is a lesser demand and a constant supply of rhino horn, making the poaching part less lucrative. But the increase supply might possibly lead to a increase demand due to the fact that the middle class and the poor might be able to afford the horn as a result of the price drop.
4. The horn trade will in my opinion if legalized will very much be governed by the normal supply and demand nature added the syndicate or poacher that still turn to the illegal poaching side.
This is only my opinion (and might be wrong) and would like the input of others as this is a matter that dearly matters to us as hunters and conservationist.
My Best
James Lizamore
